Practice Practice Practice!
After my lesson on Saturday in Southern Pines I spent several hours on Sunday working with Skittles and my mom. Skittles is considered a “green” pony. Green ponies are usually in their first or second year of training or schooling. Skittles has school just like I do. Sometimes he goes to the trainer for “real” training and sometimes he has classes with Ashley every Wednesday and Thursday. She exercises him for me and he learns a lot because she is a good rider. Ponies have to learn a lot to become real horse show ponies.
Lately his lessons have been working on flying lead changes. Lead changes feel kind of like your pony is skipping. Lead changes are important because they help keep your pony balanced. If your pony is on the wrong lead at a horse show it is considered a fault. Because my pony did not know how to do lead changes I had to ride other ponies at my trainers farm so I could learn. While I was learning on other ponies Ashley was teaching Skittles while she rides him. Now we are ready to work on lead changes together.
On Monday I did what I do every Monday. I have school during the day and then go to the barn to practice. I usually get home at about 6:30 p.m. and then I have to take a bath and do my homework. I am always sad when I leave the barn on Monday nights because I know I will not see Skittles again until Friday during the winter. I always try and spend some extra time with him and give him some extra love and treats! I wish I could just live with Skittles and Ride, Ride, Ride every day! Check back for more updates, photos, and videos that are coming soon!
